We started with the Government of National Unity as part of the effort to alleviate fears of terrorism, as we were perceived as terrorists.
The second five years were also difficult, as the ANC government found the country in debt and had to be creative and formulate mechanisms for damage control.
After 1994, development gradually kicked in, and with the march of time there came a need to accelerate as far as information and communications technology infrastructure was concerned.
South Africa is no longer isolated internationally, but embraced. Can we applaud the ANC-led government for that? [Applause.]
The development of ICT infrastructure is the hub of our national development agenda. Let us take cognisance of the fact that our Ministry is newly established. Therefore, our role requires a more rapid application of programmes of action. We need a wider range of technologies to assist our organisation in running more efficiently.
Our Ministry is tasked with raising the telecommunications and postal services sectors to a higher scale of operation. Bearing in mind that our country's telecommunications sector is growing at a rapid rate, estimated at R179 billion in 2011, it is expected to reach R187 billion by 2016. The services targeted, which are essential to everyday mechanics and integral to effective service delivery, include hardware, software, networking, and implementation. If only we can account for all these figures.
Chair, with regard to digital migration, allow me to reflect on the recent speech delivered by our hon Minister, Mr Siyabonga Cwele, of the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services, at the African Telecommunications Union Plenipotentiary Conference in Harare. Amongst other important issues, he confirmed that our ICT policy review process is under way, and we hope to finalise the process in the current financial year.
We also agree with the International Telecommunication Union focus on the importance of broadband to accelerate the economic and development prospects of our country and region.
The policy review process aims to promote access to ICT services, which will also strengthen collaboration between the ICT sector and other service sectors, such as banking, commerce and agriculture, and other new services. I am just rushing because my time is short.
As regards the impact of ICT infrastructure on education, the Government Gazette of 24 January 2014 refers to a panel whose mandate is to review the policy and ensure that South Africans have the following rights. According to the National Integrated ICT Policy Green Paper:
South Africans have a right to access a diverse range of information, opinion and news of relevance to their communities and lives ... South Africans have a right to equitable universal access to communication infrastructure and services ...
South Africans are entitled to communication services that reflect, respect and uphold community standards (as well as our culture) and values in accordance with the constitution; South Africans have a right to privacy and to protection of personal information ...
It is unfortunate that ICT development is being abused and people's privacy is being tampered with. Criminal activities are also being masterminded through this development. However, we must never lose hope, but continue mobilising for the good, and for the best utilisation of ICT.
Agencies such as Ikamva National e-Skills Institute and Manas Design and Detail are playing their part in skills development, the creation of small, medium and micro enterprises, and job creation.
I would now like to refer to hon Shinn before my time is up. There is no confusion in the ANC; hence the continuous support for it nationally and internationally. The percentage that you are making a noise about doesn't change the fact that South Africa is led and governed by the ANC.
Your divide and rule attitude of singing songs of praise to some Ministers at the expense of others is mere repetition. You are repeating a song, but it is a recitation without memory.
Moreover, you have only read and heard about the previously disadvantaged communities; hence your continuous discrimination. You have never been committed to their plight and their development, and you will never ever be committed to them, because you are running after their cheap labour. You still have the mindset that quality lies only under a white skin. What a daydream!
If the DA is the party to associate with, why were you isolated internationally? You must thank this democratic government that you are accepted again under the leadership of the ANC. [Applause.]
Then, to the hon Khubisa, all the programmes of government in all the departments have as an obligation job creation - both casual and permanent. However, we strive for decent, permanent jobs. I must honour you for reminding us to fast-track this, but make time to go through all the departments of the government; you will get tired of reading about job creation, job creation, job creation. It is there.
Hon Madisha, I sympathise with you for not having enough time to try to appeal again to people to consider Cope in the next national elections. Hon Madisha, my former comrade, reconsider whether you will stay in Cope, because the fact of the matter is that Cope is not coping, and neither are you. [Interjections.]
Hon Mackenzie, your short memory, forgetting the names of other parties, is noted. ICT will assist you - you just google and you will remember who governs South Africa.
South Africa is alleged to be five years behind, because of your resistance to transformation. It is true that you are not governing South Africa, and that will never ever change. You had your time to govern South Africa and you messed up. So, you won't get that chance again. [Interjections.]
With regard to qualifications, in my previous life I worked for the Department of Transport in Gauteng. We had directors ... [Interjections.] ... whose qualification was Std 8. The "Std 8" was written in Afrikaans - "st 8". They were directors. Others would resign, only to come back as consultants for the same departments. [Interjections.] You are the ones who damaged your reputation internationally and not in South Africa. [Interjections.]